Cascade Power Activation for Battery-Free Mechatronic Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embedded systems face inefficiencies in energy utilization from generators due to voltage drop in supercapacitors, leading to significant energy waste, especially when high-capacity capacitors are used, as they cannot maintain the required voltage for system operation.
Innovation Solution
A cascade activation method and system where electrical energy from a generator is directly utilized by components in sequence, starting with microcontrollers, then sensors, and finally actuators, using voltage regulators to ensure each component receives the necessary activation voltage without storage, minimizing energy waste and reducing the need for batteries or large capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy is stored in a supercapacitor for later use, then energy can be available when needed, but a high percentage of electrical energy cannot be used since voltage does not reach the minimum required for correct operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging the supercapacitor to a voltage level above the minimum operating voltage before energy is needed. This ensures that when energy is drawn from the supercapacitor, the voltage remains above the threshold for useful work, maximizing energy utilization and minimizing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the voltage parameter management by maintaining the supercapacitor voltage within an optimized range. Instead of allowing voltage to drop to zero, the system regulates it to stay above the minimum operating voltage, thereby changing how the voltage parameter is utilized to improve overall energy efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If high-capacity capacitors are used to store energy, then more energy can be stored, but more energy is required to reach the voltage needed to use the mechatronic system
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-charging the high-capacity supercapacitor to an optimized voltage level before the mechatronic system needs to operate. This preliminary charging ensures that the capacitor starts at a voltage above the minimum operating threshold, so that as energy is drawn, the voltage remains usable for longer, reducing the portion of stored energy that would otherwise be wasted.
3Reliability
If voltage is maintained constant in a battery, then reliable power supply is provided, but batteries cannot be used in battery-free mechatronic systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a voltage regulator circuit as an intermediary between the supercapacitor and the mechatronic system components. This regulator maintains a constant output voltage to components even as the supercapacitor voltage varies, thereby providing reliable power supply without requiring a battery. The regulator acts as the mediator that translates variable capacitor voltage into stable component operating voltage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system accelerates activation times and significantly reduces energy waste, allowing embedded systems to operate efficiently without batteries or high-capacity capacitors, optimizing energy use and reducing the size of generators.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator that generates variable voltage electrical energy from a minimum voltage to a maximum voltage, from mechanical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cascade activation method and mechatronic system for simultaneous generation and consumption. The system includes a non-return diode connected to an electric generator; a first voltage regulator connected to a microcontroller; a voltage converter; and an actuator, which has an activation voltage greater than the first activation voltage of the first voltage regulator. The actuator is configured to simultaneously consume a portion of the electrical energy generated by the electric generator. The method includes the steps of listing the elements of the mechatronic system that require power; calculating the activation sequence of the elements based on the minimum activation voltage and the activation time interval; selecting the electric generator based on the energy/power that needs to be provided to the mechatronic system; and programming the microcontroller with the activation sequence.